Emerging Hollywood: Chris Redd
In The Hollywood Reporter series, Emerging Hollywood, Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Chris Redd opens up about growing up in Chicago, pitching skits that are “unapologetically Black,” and talking openly about mental health. Lenard Larry McKelvey, known professionally as Charlamagne Tha God, serves as the interviewer for the segment.
“It really shaped me in being able to go to any situation and feel comfortable…to blend in and know how to handle myself.”
The interview starts with Charlamagne asking Chris about his early days in Chicago and how it changed him. Chris Redd moved to Chicago from St. Louis at age eight, and it was a rough time for him. He wasn’t happy with the move but soon became excited about it after learning of the gangster presence in Chicago. At that age, Chris’ uncles were a big influence on his interest in crime and gang violence. The move proved to be both a benefit and a hindrance to his life. While the change in scenery may have grounded him in his thoughts regarding gangs, it also made him develop a sense of not being comfortable anywhere and feeling distrust in most people he encountered. As a result, he had difficulty setting his roots.
These feelings led to mental health concerns which, in turn, led to seeking therapy. As a result, Chris became able to recognize the emotional triggers and put a name to the social anxiety he has. Initially, this proved difficult due to the strict parentage he had. His mom was a hardworking woman who was usually too busy to chat with, and his father only acted as a parent, not a friend. Though his father suffered from anxiety, mental health was never discussed amongst the family. Once his mental health was addressed later in life, his parents became more open and experienced therapy through Chris. Despite the hardships, Chris appreciated that his parents managed to instill a good work ethic and the importance of family.
“What you’re trying to do as a variety show is to do stuff for your culture that represents what you like to do.”
When asked about what he does these days, Chris discusses his time on SNL. For Chris, SNL was his first big break. The presence of an improv and sketch comedy community in Chicago inspired him to try for SNL. Chris wanted to learn from those at SNL to develop his comedy routine. He notes his appreciation of more Black comedians and performers now present on the show.
Charlamagne also asks Chris how he has grown since joining SNL in 2017. SNL’s environment allowed Chris to understand the pressures of the job and how to effectively create a sketch. He claims SNL has made him a stronger comic. While working there, Chris doesn’t get pushback when pitching Black culture skits. So long as it’s funny and well-written, it is accepted at SNL. The biggest lesson Chris received from his time in SNL was how to see the separation in fame and relevancy. That was dependent on both the individual and how the individual is positioned.
“I think it was just going to make it a better community and more open if people paid attention to that kind of thing (institutionalized racism).”
Charlamagne brings up the time Chris signed a letter alongside nineteen other Black Second City alumni to investigate the organization’s history of racism and sexism misconduct. Despite Second City giving him the foundation needed to better himself and build better bonds, Chris does not regret doing what he and the others did. He believed that as a result of their actions, the issues at Second City were talked about and addressed. On the pushback Chris received from claiming “Black people can’t get the coronavirus” in 2020, he reasoned it as an ill-informed joke. During the timing of the sketch, the only concentrated infections were on a cruise ship that, as quoted by Chris Redd, was the “whitest cruise ship.” In hindsight, he regrets it a bit but didn’t at the time due to his lack of research.
When asked about things that put him at ease, Chris responds with his interest in kickboxing and his relaxation methods. Chris kickboxes as a means to both stay in shape and to channel his anger into something constructive. Chris reveals that his relaxation involves reading, meditation, napping, and avoiding social media. He openly talks about mental health and hopes his sketches and talks inspire others. In the beginning, Chris felt like he wasn’t receiving good help for mental health. When he finally managed to find a good therapist who helped him identify the condition of his mental health, Chris believed he has grown and progressed in life. The interview closes with brief talks about Chris’s experience working with Kenan Thompson, his new show Bust Down, and his desire to continue doing what he is doing now with the addition of more leading roles.